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The category of fiction encompasses a wide variety of books. Many people tend to read in just one of these genres, without exploring the different possibilities available. This section will take a closer look at the various fiction categories. We will try to define each genre, explain a little bit about it, and cover some of the popular authors. We hope that you will try at least one book in each category.
Christian Fiction
Christian fiction incorporates Christian elements and beliefs into the storyline of a novel. It is part of the larger genre of inspirational fiction, which covers themes that reflect a wide variety of religious faiths; for example, stories based on Jewish, Buddhist or Muslim faiths.
Christian fiction generally revolves around ordinary characters who are challenged in some way to live their lives according to Christian principles. The Christian elements, and how they are presented, vary by author. Books in this genre are often meant to instruct readers in Christian principles and beliefs, but well-written novels are able to incorporate that instruction into the story so seamlessly that it often does not read as such.
Christian fiction can be based on a fundamentalist view of Christianity, but it varies across the genre. Just as there are a wide range of Christian beliefs and viewpoints, there are wide interpretations of those beliefs within the genre of Christian fiction.
This area of literature continues to expand as it becomes more and more mainstream and demand increases. While Christian fiction still includes the biblical stories that many might associate with the genre, it has also pushed beyond that to include Christian romance and romantic suspense, thrillers, historical fiction, westerns and even science fiction and fantasy. For example, Robert Whitlow writes the same kind of legal thrillers John Grisham does, just in the Christian genre. For other Christian mystery and suspense novels, try Harry Lee Kraus, Brandilyn Collins, Ted Dekker, Tim Downs, Terri Blackstock, Linda Hall and Mindy Starns Clark. For supernatural suspense, stories where good battles evil and the godly triumph after many challenges, try Frank Peretti or Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series. If you think you would like to try Christian romance, Karen Kingsbury, Janette Oke, Beverly Lewis, Dee Henderson, Tracey Bateman, Melody Carlson, Lori Copeland, Lyn Cote, Robin Lee Hatcher and Lori Wick are all excellent places to start. For more Christian romance writers you may also visit http://www.christianromancenovel.com/christian-romance-authors-list.
Although the label of Christian fiction can be off-putting to those who do not normally read within the Christian genre, some readers might find that they enjoy some of these books. For example, because Christian fiction usually does not contain profanity, explicit sex or strong violence, it might appeal to those looking for gentle reads. I read Christy (by Catherine Marshall) as a teenager, before I had ever heard of Christian fiction, and enjoyed it very much. Since then I have read a number of other books in this genre, and some I have also enjoyed while others not so much. So it might be worth it to try a couple of books and see what you think.
For other reviews, see http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com
Christian Fiction Authors
